Severe Jerking of Left Shoulder

[farmerfriday]

My husband had surgery on his left shoulder to repair the rotate cuff, at the same time the surgeon did carpal tunnel surgery on his left hand. A few weeks after the surgery, his left shoulder began to jerk involutary, slowly at first. Now it is severe, it rarely stops and effects his trying to do things. We have gone back to the surgeon who says he has never seen anything like this and that it was nothing that he did. We have had two different nerve test done, but they show no nerve damaged. The last told us that there was surely something, but did not know what. He said it looked like Torrerts,but he knew it was not. Can you please help us. What type of doctor should we go to??What kind of tests can be done to find the cause and the solutions? This has been going since surgery, which was done in April of this year. He is hardly able to sleep and it is so bad sometimes he can not hold anything in that hand. There has to be something wrong, because is not in his head. The shoulder jerks even when he is sleeping. People now ask him if he is cold, because the jerking has gotten so bad. Please Please help us

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Damage to the nerve during the surgery can be considered.

A neurologist would be a reasonable consultant at this time.  A nerve conduction study can evaluate for any possible nerve damage.  If there is a central nervous cause suspected, an MRI can be considered.

These options can be discussed with your personal physician.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com